The Perfect Valentine’s Gift: Finding a Job You Love

This Valentine's Day, instead of focusing on flowers and chocolates, maybe you should focus on embarking on a love affair with your career. Valentine's Day is all about appreciating the people in our lives who we love, but it might also be the right moment to take stock of your career.

After all, it's easy to stagnate in your career and find yourself waking up in the morning with a feeling of dread instead of elation. If this sounds like you, perhaps it's time to move on and find a job you're truly passionate about.

Like finding Mr. or Ms. Right, finding the perfect job isn't always simple. Here are some tips for getting started on achieving career bliss:

Get yourself out there It's tough to find the right person if you're stuck in the same routine. You need to get out there and meet new people. Sometimes you even need to rely on your friends and family members to set you up with some prospects. All of this can help you find a great person to share your life with, but it's also reasonable advice for the job hunt.

If you want to find a job or a person you can really love, it's time to stop being complacent. Good things come to those who wait, but great things come to those who are willing to go out there and make things happen. Go to a networking event in your area and start cultivating contacts. Revamp your social media profiles and start taking part in discussions about industry-related topics.

And don't be afraid to ask your professional contacts to set you up on a few blind dates, so to speak. Perhaps your contact knows of someone hiring in your field, or knows of a great person you can speak with to gain insight into your industry. Don't be afraid to ask for help, advice, and guidance. Then, when you find a career track you love, you can pay forward this guidance to the next generation of job seekers looking for their perfect job.

Show off your personality When it comes to the first date, you want to be on your best behavior and put your best foot forward. But you also want to be yourself, because your ultimate goal is to find someone who will love you for you.

It's no different when looking for a great position. You don't want to be part of a company where you constantly have to hide your personality or change yourself. Professional behavior is one thing, but if you need to twist yourself like a pretzel to fit into the company culture, then you're probably not right for the job.

Employers want candidates who are going to fit into their company culture with ease, because these are the employees who will be around the company for the long haul. Look for ways to connect with employers on a more personal level in the hiring process. For instance, you can send a video resume in addition to your traditional paper resume. On film, you can show off your personality and communication skills in addition to your qualifications.

Don't be afraid to show off your passion for the job in the interview. You might be afraid of coming off as desperate, but a little research can be the difference between wowing a hiring manager and coming off as too needy. If you have solid, concrete reasons why you're excited to work for the company you'll look motivated and not desperate. Most importantly, make sure you find a company where your unique personality, skills, and viewpoint will be appreciated.

Know what you're looking for Most people have at least a few items on their list of what their ideal partner will be like, and a few items on their list of dealbreakers. Whether you can't date a smoker or want to find someone with a good sense of humor, these items are important to help you weed through the dating pool.

You should have a similar list for your job search. Know where your skills and abilities lie, and know what you'd like to do with them. Understand the environments in which you thrive and the cultures in which you'd wither. Having a clear idea of what you'd like to do is the best way to save your time and target only the jobs likely to make you the happiest.

Like finding your soulmate, finding your ideal job is no picnic. But the rewards for isolating and following your career passions certainly make it worth the work.

What are some ways you go about finding a job you'd love? Share in the comments!

Josh Tolan is the CEO of Spark Hire, a video powered hiring network that connects job seekers and employers through video resumes and online interviews. Connect with him and Spark Hire on Facebook and Twitter.